Programme

The course is intended to provide students with the tools and methods for the study of rocks-forming minerals. After a recall of the basic concepts of structural and morphological crystallography, the most important minerals in geological environments, in particular, the silicates, will be studied from the point of view of their systematic and crystal-chemical aspects. The use of natural materials in industry, technology and in cultural heritage will be also treated. The basic elements of modern techniques for the analysis of minerals and for the use of quantitative data in mineralogy will be given.

Core Documentation

Klein c. (2004). Mineralogia. Zanichelli.
Deer W.A., Howie R.A. & Zussman Jj. (1994). Introduzione ai minerali che costituiscono le rocce. Zanichelli.
Mottana A. (1989). Fondamenti di mineralogia geologica. Zanichelli.

And eventually also:
Dyar M.D. e Gunter M. (2008). Mineralogy and optical mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America.
Putnis A. (1992). Introduction to Mineral Sciences. Cambridge University Press.

Reference Bibliography

Various material provided by the teacher according to the themes developed during the course.

Type of delivery of the course

Classroom lectures with practical exercises on the topics covered during the course.

Attendance

To be admitted to the exam, students must have attended at least 75% of the credits provided.

Type of evaluation

Presentation and subsequent discussion of a topic chosen by the student or indicated by the teacher.